Author Archives: David

Two years later, Dodd-Frank remains in neutral

By Mark Schoeff Jr. After two years on the books, the massive Dodd-Frank financial reform law is generating more fear of overbearing regulation than final rules. President Barack Obama signed the 848-page measure July 21, 2010. Since then, regulatory agencies … Read more

State, local spending at lowest point since ’80s

By Dennis Cauchon, USA TODAY State and local governments are keeping the tightest lid on spending in three decades, even though tax revenue is rising again and powerful interest groups are asking for more money. The tight budget controls represent … Read more

Proposed regs could kill off money fund industry: Professor

Changes to money-market funds would hike costs dramatically, decimate business, says professor By Liz Skinner June 18, 2012 3:11 pm ET Money market reforms under consideration by regulators would increase borrowing costs for businesses and governments and ultimately add tens … Read more

Why the Eurozone spells trouble for U.S.

Turmoil in Greece threatens to derail economic recovery, upend November elections By Jeff Benjamin May 27, 2012 6:01 am ET  As the question of Greece’s abandoning the eurozone increasingly shifts from “if” to “when,” speculation mounts about what impact a … Read more

Schapiro stands defiant on money market reform

By Jason Kephart May 13, 2012 6:01 am ET   Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Mary Schapiro is not backing down from her stance that the money market fund industry needs additional reform. “We have a legitimate concern over the … Read more

Stage set for rally in municipal bonds

By Jason Kephart May 6, 2012 6:01 am ET This could be a hot, dry summer for municipal bonds, as demand for new issues is anticipated to outstrip supply and drive up prices. RBC Capital Markets projects that municipalities will … Read more

A Worrisome Rise in Jobless Claims

April 26, 2012 A Worrisome Rise in Jobless Claims By DAVID LEONHARDT   The odds that the economy has fallen into a spring slowdown – for the third straight year – rose this morning. Thoughts on the economic scene. The … Read more

Home Prices Seen Dropping

Home Prices Seen Dropping 10% in U.S. on Foreclosures: Mortgages By Kathleen M. Howley – Apr 3, 2012 8:36 AM CT As many as 1.25 million of America’s least cared for homes are headed for auction after a year-long probe … Read more

Interest Rates to Stay Low

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) — U.S. stocks rallied Monday after Fed chairman Ben Bernanke’s comments on the job market gave investors reason to believe interest rates will stay low. In a speech to fellow economists, Bernanke said, “We cannot yet be … Read more

State Tax Revenue Rebounds

By Brian Chappatta U.S. state tax collections rose 6.1 percent from July 2011 to September 2011, the seventh straight quarter of growth, and now exceed pre-recession levels, according to a report from the Nelson A. Rockefeller Institute of Government. The … Read more